MARK CHESNUTT; "What a Way to Live" (Decca). * * * *
Nobody sounds more country than Mark Chesnutt. And no one puts more heart into the sound that has moved him rapidly from an opening act to a major force in the western-music field.
With "What a Way to Live," Chesnutt proves again that his popularity is no accident. It's built, instead, on an unerring ability to select songs and then mix up the pace enough to offer something for everyone. This selection justs begs listeners to get on their feet and dance - a little western swing, a few slow, cuddlin' songs.
"Live a Little" is a bouncy, energetic song about finding balance in life - juggling work and responsibility and love and fun.
"She Dreams," which follows it, is slow and mournful, but maintains its rhythm and a rather subdued energy.
Chesnutt never falls into the "songs-all-sound-alike" trap that marks a fair number of country albums. His trademark is his ability to select songs that have both high-quality instrumentation and strong lyrics. He likes rich wordplay, like "Down in Tennessee": "She said that the wedding went fine and you were up in New York on your honeymoon. Tonight I'm down, in Tennessee." The word play keeps the old "losing-at-love" themes from sounding hackneyed.
It also makes listening to the album a little like opening a present. Each lyric contains little surprises in the form of different interpretations that work independently and together.
The best song on this extraordinarily good album is "It's Almost Like You're Here." Anyone who's heard it knows why - the wailing instruments, that clear, deep voice, the sheer emotion. Anyone who hasn't heard it should.
If you've ever wondered what could make a classic song like "Rainy Day Woman" better than the version sung by its author, Waylon Jennings, this disc has the answer: Add Chesnutt to the mix. He can make any song his own - and better than it started. As a duet, it's great.
MARK COLLIE; "Unleashed" (MCA). * * * *
Mark Collie doesn't look country, but when he lets that deep, velvety voice run free on "Unleashed," there's no doubt that it just doesn't get better than this.
Collie is that rare bird, a talented singer and a skilled songwriter. The fact that he co-wrote most of the 10 songs is a strength to this album. They're memorable.
The exception is Mark Collie's version of "Ring of Fire," made famous by Johnny Cash several decades ago. Collie, however, isn't imitating the classic, which was written by Merle Kilgore and June Carter. His interpretation is completely different, slower and slinkier.
Nobody hits every time, and "All I Want Is You" is too simplistic and ordinary to belong in this fine collection. It relies heavily on a driving beat to overcome the fact that there's no real musical skill required to either play or sing it.
Fortunately, "Waiting" gets the album back on course. It too has a simple beat, but other qualities - like a depth of emotion - make it a rich piece.
Acoustic guitar reigns supreme here, despite some very fine piano, bass, fiddle and percussion work. The album also has several duets, including Deborah Allen on "Lonely Streak" and Carlene Carter on "Ring of Fire."
And speaking of "Rainy Day Woman," Collie has one, too. An entirely different song that the one penned by Jennings, Collie's version is fast and upbeat.
Collie doesn't go in much for wordplay. His lyrics are straightforward. What you hear is what he meant.
MCBRIDE & THE RIDE; "Terry McBride & the Ride" (MCA). * * * 1/2
It wasn't very long ago that McBride and the Ride burst on the country-music scene with "Sacred Ground."
They had a strong debut; they're better now than before. The latest disc has a variety and depth that just keeps growing. McBride's clear tenor makes it easy to enjoy the album.
"Been There" is particularly appealing because anyone can relate to this simple slice of life: "Been there, did that. Held her, lost track. She walked, I crawled. Ain't fair. She's his, I'm here. Been there." The words are simple, the instrumentation exquisite. "He's Living My Dreams" is just as timeless.
This package is a nice mix of songs co-written by McBride and others that was carefully selected to play up the strength of his voice and the great background harmonies. Everything flows together very well.
"High Hopes and Empty Pockets" feels out of place, though. It's too rowdy without the fine instrumental work found everywhere else. This is not the kind of album you dance to; "High Hopes" isn't necessarily the kind of song you even (willingly) listen to. It's not just that it's too fast. "Nothin' Nobody Can Say" is, if anything, more fast-paced. But it's one of the best songs. "High Hopes" is just weak.
"Before I Fall in Love," which follows "High Hopes," is exactly the opposite. It's a sway-to-me and singalong song.
McBride closes out the album with "I'll See You Again Sometime," which he calls a "song of hope" dedicated to a Dale Mc-Bride. It's a love song that lingers.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.